Why visit
Brussels is the capital of Belgium. A practical starting point for museums, food, and onward routes into the country.
Brussels at a glance
City population
1.2 million
Metro: 2.1 million
Elevation
13 m
43 ft
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 DST)
Europe/Brussels
Airport
BRU
Brussels Zaventem
Founded
979
Getting around
Metro (6 lines), trams, buses; STIB/MIVB
Signature dish
Moules-frites, carbonnade flamande, waterzooi, speculoos, waffle
Neighborhoods for travelers
Grand PlaceSablonIxellesSaint-GillesEU Quarter
Belgium at a glance
Country center
50.8°, 4.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
30,528 km²
11,787 mi²
Country population
11.7 million
384/km²
Subregion
Western Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+32
Languages
German, French, Dutch
Demonym
Belgian
Internet
.be
UN
Member state
ISO code
BE / BEL
Where in the world
50.8° · 4.0°
Belgium
Open in Google Maps ↗
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Brussels holds one of the highest concentrations of comic-book murals in the world (50+), honoring its local tradition.
- The city is officially bilingual: every street sign is in both French and Dutch.
- The Manneken Pis statue has more than 1,000 costumes in its dedicated museum wardrobe.
- Belgium has three official languages (Dutch, French, German) and some of the world's most complex federal politics.
- The country holds the world record for the longest time without a government: 541 days in 2010-2011.
Bordering Belgium
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Brussels
What currency is used in Brussels?
Brussels uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Belgium?
The primary languages are German, French and Dutch.
What is the international calling code for Belgium?
The calling code is +32.
What airport serves Brussels?
Brussels Zaventem (IATA: BRU).
Other Europe destinations
Czechia
Czechia is Prague's Old Town and castle, Český Krumlov's UNESCO village, Karlovy Vary spa culture, and one of the world's strongest beer traditions.
Denmark
Denmark delivers Copenhagen's design and food (world's best restaurant list regular), Aarhus's ARoS art museum, and the Jutland dunes.
Estonia
Estonia is a destination in Europe known for its cultural identity: local traditions, music, crafts, and a distinctive regional character that differs from its neighbors.
Finland
Finland is a destination in Europe where the landscape is the point. National parks, coastlines, forests, or mountain travel anchor most itineraries.
France
France is the most-visited country on earth for good reason. Paris's museums, Loire châteaux, Provence lavender, Alpine skiing, Normandy beaches, and the Riviera, all linked by the TGV.
Germany
Germany mixes Berlin's history and counter-culture, Bavaria's Alps and beer halls, the Rhine Valley's castles, and Hamburg's harbor. ICE trains link everything.